[mythtv-users] New Backend Hardware

[Travis Tabbal]

On Thu, Jan 28, 2010 at 12:22 AM, Eric Yanush <yanush2e at uregina.ca> wrote:

> Hi,
>
> I am looking to assemble a new mythtv backend, to replace my old P3
> backend, used with a pvr-150 and local cable, as I have made the move to HD
> :D
> I am getting my tv from my isp, IPTV, and can capture it directly over
> ethernet. Currently the SD channels are mpeg2 streams, and the HD are h.264,
> although they tell me they are making the move to all h.264 in the near
> future.
> This new machine will be backend and frontend until I can use my apple tv
> with broadcom crystal hd as my main frontend.
> I was wondering if anyone had an suggestions on recommended hardware for
> the new machine? It will be able to utilize 4 streams simultaneously over 2
> ethernet connections, and I was wondering what kind of processor and ram
> requirements I would need to be able to deal with comm-flagging and
> transcoding, I would like to be able to be watching one stream, possible
> live tv, while being able to record and comm-flag one possible two more.
>
> I was considering a motherboard with a built in nvidia 8200 to make use of
> vdpau in case it ever does find itself pulling double duty again with 400W
> power supply, paired with an athlon II X2 240 (2.8ghz) dual core, and 2gb of
> ram. Along with a 160gb pata drive I have kicking around, for the OS drive
> and a 1tb WD caviar black for recordings.
>
> Should I be looking to make any adjustments to this?
>

If you're concerned about multiple streams causing problems, I would use 2
or more drives for recordings with Myth's storage groups. Feeding streams in
and out isn't really CPU heavy, it's all I/O bound. Comflagging and
transcoding like CPU though. Depending on how many jobs you want to run at
once, you might consider a 3 or 4 core machine, but a dual 2.8 is probably
enough for most people's Myth use.  2G of RAM is probably fine if Myth is
all you want this box to do. My Myth machines rarely use more than 1G with 2
installed.
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